Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) was created under the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to prevent, prepare, and respond to the adverse health effects of public health emergencies and disasters. ASPR focuses on preparedness planning and response; building federal emergency medical operational capabilities; countermeasures research, advance development, and procurement; and grants to strengthen the capabilities of hospitals and healthcare systems in public health emergencies and medical disasters. The office provides federal support, including medical professionals through the ASPR’s National Disaster Medical System , to augment state and local capabilities during an emergency or disaster. The Office of Emergency Management provides support and coordination of federal, state, and local activities during times of emergency. The Secretary of HHS delegates to the ASPR the leadership role for all health and medical services support function in a health emergency or public health event (PHE, 2016).